Cheetahs lock becomes a Dragon

Cheetahs lock Rynard Landman has signed a three-year deal with Pro 12 side Newport Gwent Dragons.

Cheetahs lock Rynard Landman has signed a three-year deal with Pro 12 side Newport Gwent Dragons.

Dragons' Director of Rugby Lyn Jones was delighted to announce the signing which sees the 1.96m, 120 kg second row move to Wales.

Better known as 'Ligtoring' to his teammates, the 27-year-old lock will join up with the Dragons squad before the start of the next European season to bolster Lyn Jones' options in the tight five.

Landman, who can also pack down as blindside flank, played youth and senior rugby with the Leopards, before moving onto the Boland Cavaliers in 2011 and then making the change to play for Griquas in the 2012 Currie Cup.

Strong performances for the Griquas gave Landman the chance to showcase himself at Super Rugby level with the Cheetahs where he made 14 appearances in the 2013 super rugby season forming a strong partnership in the second row in the Cheetahs run to the play-offs.

The 18-cap Super Rugby lock is a strong ball carrier, good line-out operator and is mobile around the field.

On the signing of Landman, Jones commented: "I am delighted that we have recruited Rynard.

"Its another piece of the jigsaw and an important signing in the development of the region.

"He will offer size, strength and experience to the second row and will act as a catalyst in the growth of our current crop of young Welsh locks.

"Not only will Rynard will be a real physical presence in the pack but he will help to bring along Matthew Screech, Cory Hill and Joe Davies," Jones added.

Landman becomes the regions seventh recruit for next season following the signings of props Boris Stankovich and David Young, hooker Rhys Buckley, lock Ian Gough, wing Aled Brew and fullback Lee Byrne.